China Yuzheng 306, alarge fishery administration ship which is the first to set sail for a permanent deployment in the waters around the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, leaves a South Chinese porton Friday, Xinhuanet reported Friday.

Thevessel with a maximumdisplacement of 400 tonnes will join two other smaller fishery administration ships to patrol the waters around the islands and safeguard China's marine sovereignty, fishing rights and interests.

The deployment of this ship, which left Guangzhou port in South China's Guangdong province, symbolizes that China has an all-weather law enforcement force in the area.

The ship is 56 meters long, 7.8 meters wide and 3.85 meters high, with a maximum speed of 18 nautical miles per hour.